Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
153. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports that will be made available to foster families in the south-east to replace the services from an organisation (details supplied), which have recently been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13260/26]
View answerThank you Deputy for raising this issue affecting foster carers and their families in your constituency.
Officials from this Department contacted Tusla regarding its withdrawal of the foster care support service you have referenced, which I understand services the Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary area. Tusla has advised that this decision was taken following a review of fostering supports across the organisation, in light of changes to its service provision.
As you may know, Tusla has embarked on a nationwide programme of reform of its services. As part of this reform programme, Tusla has stated that it has introduced a range of nationwide supports for foster carers, including the national foster care peer support service. The service has been expanded to include six peer support workers across the southeast and southwest regions. Tusla has advised that local peer support arrangements are also available where necessary. An out-of-hours contact line is also in place to support foster carers outside of regular working hours.
Tusla has further advised that it has improved its suite of training supports on a national level for foster carers, with access to online learning, webinars and in-person training and development available through Tusla’s online Foster Care Hub.
The Department has also overseen a significant increase in investment in foster care supports, including in relation to the Foster Care Allowance. The Foster Care Allowance is a weekly payment to foster carers in respect of the child in their care. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. At the end of 2024, the allowance was increased to €400 per week for children aged under 12, and €425 per week for those over 12. As a result foster carers now received €22,100 per annum in respect of a foster child over 12, and €20,800 per annum for a foster child under 12.
In 2025 the Government also introduced funding for the Initial Placement Payment to foster carers at the beginning of each initial foster care placement. Provision was also made for additional mileage support for foster carers who have significant travel responsibilities for children in their care.
I can also advise that the Department secured funding of €300,000 through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) Action Plan for 2026, to be directed towards foster care counselling and psychological supports. This measure will be used to provide counselling support for foster carers and foster children. This would help address the social disadvantage experienced by children in care and their foster carers. This is a one-year measure to help foster carers, children in care, and to inform future service provision.
The Programme for Government 2025 sets out the Government’s intention to provide further support for foster carers, including a commitment to examine pension provision for foster carers. I also plan to bring forward new measures to support foster carers under the Alternative Care Policy Framework, which is currently being developed within the Department.
While I appreciate that this change may have introduced uncertainty for foster carers and their families, Tusla has stated that it is putting transitional arrangements in place and will work directly with affected families during this period. Tusla has also said that the learnings from this particular service will continue to inform the development of its nationwide fostering supports.
